From getting a SIM card to navigating traffic, finding a flat, and eating well on any budget the practical realities of living in Thailand day to day.
Bangkok has the BTS Skytrain, MRT underground, river taxis, and a vast fleet of grab cars, taxis, and motorbike taxis. Chiang Mai and other cities are more car/motorbike dependent. Grab (the Southeast Asian Uber equivalent) works across most cities and is reliable.
Thailand has excellent mobile coverage (AIS, DTAC/True, and DTAC). Tourist SIMs are available at airports. Long-stay residents typically get a local SIM with a monthly plan unlimited data packages run 300–600 THB per month. Home fibre internet is fast and cheap (500–800 THB/month for 500Mbps).
Renting in Thailand as a foreigner is straightforward there are no legal restrictions on foreigners renting. Most leases are 6 or 12 months. DDProperty and Hipflat are the main listing platforms. Agents charge one month's rent as a fee in Bangkok; many landlords list directly.
Thailand's food scene is extraordinary at every price point. Street food and local restaurants (20–80 THB per dish) are safe and excellent. Mid-range restaurants serve full meals for 150–400 THB. Western-style restaurants and international chains in Bangkok are 400–1,200 THB per person.
What the TM30 is, who files it, when it is needed, and how to do it online. The document that unlocks bank accounts, tax IDs, and visa extensions.
Full TM30 guide →How to file your TM47 online, by post, or in person. Deadlines, documents, what happens if you miss it, and how it differs from the TM30.
Full reporting guide →Convert your foreign licence or apply from scratch documents, the three LTO tests, costs, and the step-by-step process from start to licence in hand.
Driving licence guide →Best platforms (DDProperty, FazWaz, Hipflat), monthly costs by city, contract terms, the TM30 obligation, and Bangkok and Chiang Mai neighbourhood guides.
Renting guide →AIS vs TrueMove H vs DTAC compared, tourist SIM vs monthly plans, airport vs city purchase, eSIM options, and what documents you need.
SIM card guide →Your landlord must file a TM30 within 24 hours of your arrival at a property. This notifies immigration of your address. The TM30 receipt is required for bank account applications, some visa extensions, and other official purposes. Keep it.
Most long-stay visa holders must report their address to immigration every 90 days. This can be done online via the Immigration Bureau TM47 system, by post, or in person. LTR holders report annually instead.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required to drive legally in Thailand as a foreigner. Long-term residents can obtain a Thai driving licence, which requires a medical certificate, vision test, and written/practical exams at the Land Transport Office.
Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, international schools, and major hospitals. Outside tourist zones, English proficiency drops significantly. Learning basic Thai even just numbers and greetings improves daily life considerably.